Backlands

A Novel of the American West

By: Michael McGarrity

Narrated by: George Guidall

Michael McGarrity returns with the second installment of his sweeping, richly authentic New York Times best-selling American West trilogy set in the raw, untrammeled New Mexico backlands during the Roaring '20s, the Great Depression, and World War II. Hard Country, the first novel in the Kerney family trilogy and the debut prequel to his national best-selling Kevin Kerney crime novels, was critically acclaimed for its authentic, gritty realism; its sprawling, engrossing story; and its compelling, engaging characters. An instant hit on several national best seller lists, Hard Country continues to attract an overwhelmingly positive response from critics, booksellers, and audiences. Backlands advances the story of Patrick Kerney; his ex-wife, Emma; and their young son, Matthew, shortly after the tragic battlefield death of their eldest son, CJ, at the end of World War I. Scarred by the loss of an older brother he idolized, estranged from a father he barely knows, and deeply troubled by the failing health of a mother he adores, eight-year-old Matthew is suddenly and irrevocably forced to set aside his childhood and take on responsibilities far beyond his years. When the world spirals into the Great Depression and drought settles like a plague over the nation, Matt must abandon his own dreams to salvage the Kerney ranch. Plunged into a deep trough of dark family secrets, hidden crimes, broken promises, and lies, Matt must struggle to survive on the unforgiving, sun-blasted, drought-stricken Tularosa Basin. An expansive, epic tale like Philipp Meyer's The Son, and in the wonderful storyteller vein of Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove, McGarrity's Backlands showcases his keen eye for historical detail, awe-inspiring scenery, and the bitter harshness of life on the last vestiges of the 20th-century frontier West.

©2014 Michael McGarrity (P)2014 Recorded Books

a good read

Of course Guidall is a great reader, especially for western stories. I listen to him reading McGarrity's Kevin Kearney mystery series sometimes when I can't find a good new book.
This was a good story, not a mystery but a family history. Kept me interested.

Page turner

Wonderfully addictive. McGarrity is a true American story teller. George Guidall bring the story to life through his narration.

I liked this one better than the first

I found the characters better developed and the store now compelling than the first in the series

Good Story

Backlands is a good, quiet story. One of the main characters of the story is the State of New Mexico, especially the Tularosa. These descriptions made me want to visit. The ranch involved is about a hundred miles south of Albuquerque, near White Sands.This not a particularly gripping story, although the author did a good job of describing war scenes of WW II. I did not become invested in its outcome until about half way through. I had no trouble finishing it. It is not as drama-filled as I thought it would be. Still worth a credit.

This saga has kept my complete attention from the first novel.

I love everything about this saga from the very first novel, the characters, realistic descriptions of NM, the history, and of course the raw feelings of disappointment, loss, happiness, the reality of life. As usual, George Guidal gives the story, and depicts all of the characters perfectly.

Never Before Have I Crief

never before have I listened to a book and then brought to tears;by the characters of the story and the way this wonderful tale was weaved into something that became real to me.

both escape and meditation on early 1900s New Mexi

this book was both an escape and a meditation on the early 1900s in New Mexico. The descriptions of the environment werr such a pleasure to listen to. you felt like you were walking down the ruff road through the tularosa to the ranch. and the characters are interesting and complex, and you always want to know what happens next. an element of the soap opera, but with more depth and heart.

and George guidall is absolutely the perfect reader for this book. after listening to this and the previous novel, hard country, I think I could listen to almost anything George guidall reads and be highly contented, no matter the story.

One of the better modern western writers.

If you enjoyed the first book about the Kearny family you'll enjoy this one.I plan to read the third installment.

As good as the first

I wasn’t sure I’d like the sequel, I seldom like them as well as the first but between the writing and the reader it didn’t disappoint! On to the 3rd and anxious to see how it ends.

Enjoyable listen

Well paced well written and George is my favorite narrator . Now to complete the trifecta with the last ranch.